By DAVID PRITZ
Special to Hernando Sun
Photography by DONNA GARRETT
Head to head the best wrestlers in the state met on the mat for the 2020 Florida Wrestling State Finals at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. Hernando County was represented by 9 wrestlers from 3 schools. Hernando Leopards lead by Coach David Pritz, Kenny Day and Chance Phillips brought 5 competitors to the mat for Division 1A; Freshman TJ Rodier (106 lb weight class), Junior Billy Fetzner (152 lb weight class), Junior Josh Pritz (160 lb weight class), Senior Qwenton Coney (220 lb weight class) and Junior Samuel Fleming (heavy weight).
Springstead Eagles lead by Coach Mike LaRocca, Gallo and Chris LaRocca brought 3 competitors to the mat for Division 2A; Junior Dominic Nardini (106 lb weight class), Junior Jonathan Dominguez (120lbs weight class) and Senior Dillon Housel (182 lb weight class).
Weeki Wachee Hornets led by Coach Joe Felice brought 1 competitor to the mat for Division 1A, Junior Aiden Mayberry (160 lb weight class).
Hernando County wrestlers finished out Friday after some tough matches with 6 left advancing to the second day; Fetzner, Prtiz, Coney, Nardini, Dominguez and Housel. Suffering a few upsets Josh Pritz would be our last man standing defeating Junior Terrell Taylor from Coral Springs Charter School in the semi final round by decision 3-1 to advance to the finals. Josh Pritz lost to Jonathan Conrad from Carrollwood Day School in the finals.
A weekend full of testing limits, valuable experience and priceless memories would result with Hernando County Wrestlers returning home with 5 State Placers; Josh Pritz State Runner-up, Dominic Nardini 4th Place, Dillon Housel 4th Place, Qwenton Coney 4th Place and Jonathan Dominguez 6th Place. Job well done Hernando County Wrestlers, way to showcase our counties’ wrestling programs.
See more of Donna Garrett’s photo coverage:
https://www.hernandosun.com/2020-wrestling-finals-photos
